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Background Material s
PUBLIC OPINION RESEARCH
Meenry Dartcouncilacenea Report
FROM :
Katie Lichtig, City Manage r
Prepared By :Michael Codron, Assistant City Manage r
SUBJECT :2011 CITIZEN SATISFACTION SURVEY RESULT S
RECOMMENDATION
1.Receive a presentation from Richard Maullin of Fairbank, Maslin, Maullin, Metz an d
Associates (FM3) on the results of the 2011 City of San Luis Obispo Citizen Satisfactio n
Survey .
2.Consistent with the Council's Major City Goal for the preservation of essential services an d
fiscal health, direct staff to continue to evaluate placing the reauthorization of the City's hal f
cent sales tax (Measure Y) on the general election ballot in November 2012, and return to th e
City Council during Spring 2012 with an update .
DISCUSSIO N
Overview
FM3 has recently conducted a new citizen satisfaction survey . The results are consistent wit h
previous survey responses . San Luis Obispo continues to rate extremely high as a place to live .A
majority of residents believe the City is doing a good or excellent job providing services . And,
when asked specifically about Measure Y, the City's half-cent sales tax measure, 59% say that i f
renewal were on the ballot today they would vote yes .
Item Number
C I T Y O F S A N L U I S O B I S P O
•
Study Session : Citizen Satisfaction Survey Page2
The surveys also highlight issues that are a concern to the community . For example, the biggest
issues identified by residents include :
•Availability of affordable housing for middle-class families ;
•Availability of stable, good paying jobs in the local area ;
•Alcohol related crimes and problems ; and
•Homelessness and transients .
All of these issues were prioritized by the Council via the 2011-13 financial planning process .
Specifically, these issues are addressed in the form of Council Goals - Major City Goals, Othe r
Important Objectives or Address as Resources Permit .
Past Surveys
Previous surveys were conducted in 2005, 2006 and 2010 . The survey results have provide d
important information regarding citizen satisfaction with key City services, the quality of life i n
San Luis Obispo and support for Measure Y, the half-cent sales tax measure approved by voter s
in 2006 . For example, the 2006 survey specifically gauged citizen support for the concepts tha t
were later translated into the actual ballot measure . These surveys have also tested arguments fo r
and against the local sales tax to determine the strength of support . In general, the results of th e
recent survey are consistent with past surveys . The top line results of the surveys conducted i n
each of the four years are available for the Council to review in the Council Reading File .
Survey Methodology and Trend s
The survey was conducted by phone on October 29, 30 and November 1, 2011 . Four hundred
randomly selected registered City voters participated, with 32% reached on their cell phone . The
margin of error is plus or minus 4 .9% at the 95% confidence level . In other words, for each
question there is a 95% certainty that the true value lies within 4 .9% of the reported result .
Certain survey questions have been asked in each of the four surveys, allowing the City to trac k
responses over time . The following tables highlight these responses .
How would you rate the job being done by city officials in providing services t o
the City's residents?
2005
2006
2010
201 1
Excellent
Good
57%
Subtotal:68%
Only fair, o r
Poor job
4%4%4%
4%
Don't know
54%57 %59%
71 %72 %74%
•
Source : FM3
Study Session : Citizen Satisfaction Survey
Page 3
Thinking about the next five years, do you think the quality of life in San Lui s
Obispo will get better, stay the same, or get worse ?
Somewhat wors e
Much wors e
Don't kno w
Source :FM 3
Based on these results, it appears that residents remain steadfast that the City does a good jo b
providing services and are optimistic about the direction of the quality of life in San Luis Obispo .
• It is also worth noting that in another recent public opinion survey, this one conducted by the Sa n
Luis Obispo Council of Governments (SLOCOG), that 67% of City residents responded that the y
are not concerned about the local sales tax rate being too high . 69% responded affirmatively tha t
they could afford an additional half-cent increase . These questions were asked in the context of a
potential transportation related tax measure, which SLOCOG staff is recommending agains t
moving forward on. The information still holds relevance, however, because Governor Brow n
recently indicated that his administration would be seeking to place a new half-cent sales tax
measure on the ballot state-wide in November 2012 .
Measure Y Overview and Financial Sustainability Plannin g
On November 7, 2006, the citizens of the City of San Luis Obispo passed Measure Y, th e
Essential Services Measure . The measure passed with support from 64% of the voters . Measure
Y was a general purpose measure that provides the City with over $5 million annually t o
maintain and restore essential services like street paving, traffic congestion relief, public safety ,
flood protection, senior citizen services and facilities, neighborhood code enforcement, ope n
space preservation and other vital general purpose services . Measure Y was approved for a
period of eight years and will sunset at the end of 2014 .
Financial sustainability planning for the long term requires the City to think ahead about th e
prospects for renewal of Measure Y before its expiration . The prospects for renewing Measure Y
are good, but definitive support for Measure Y has fallen since May 2010 . The following tabl e
•
summarizes and reflects changing community sentiment towards the renewal of Measure Y .
2005 2006 2010 2011.
Much bette r
Somewhat better 17%
Stay the sam e
Subtotal:66%
17%15 %
81%83 %
25%
N/A
10%
11%
Study Session : Citizen Satisfaction Survey
Page4
How would you vote if Measure Y renewa l
were on the ballot today ?
Definitely ye s
Probably ye s
Probably n o
Definitely n o
Don't Know/
Need more inf o
The total number of voters that would definitely or probably vote yes was 64% in 2010 and 59 %
in 2011 . In addition, arguments opposing Measure Y renewal appear to have a greater impac t
now than they did in 2010 . In 2010, after hearing arguments opposed to Measure Y, 62% o f
respondents continued to strongly or somewhat favor reauthorization of the sales tax . In 2011 ,
arguments opposed to the renewal of Measure Y reduced support for reauthorization of the sale s
tax from 59% to 54%. While this may cause some pause, it is important to note that those wh o
would probably or definitely vote no has fallen as well (from 29% to 26%).
The largest change as it relates to Measure Y renewal is in the area of people who need mor e
information to determine how they would vote on Measure Y . These responses increased by 8 %
between 2010 and 2011 . This is important information for the City Council to consider because it
•
highlights the need for an educational effort by the City to reach out to residents and shar e
relevant information about Measure Y and the accomplishments made possible by this fundin g
source .
Although the number of people who don't know how they'll vote, or who need more informatio n
has increased, awareness of Measure Y has also increased 14%, as illustrated in the followin g
table . Staff believes that Measure Y awareness has increased because highly visible project s
were underway or completed during the active summer months . Public outreach efforts tha t
highlight the City's use of Measure Y funding is also believed to be a contributing factor .
Recently, Measure Y was featured on CNN Local Edition . The Public Works Director was
interviewed and highlighted Measure Y funded projects . This news feature can be viewed on th e
City's website . Additionally, the use of signage to highlight Measure Y-funded projects has bee n
in effect for over a year .
Have you heard about Measure Y, the City of San Lui s
Obispo ballot measure that voters approved in 200 6
to raise the local city sales tax one half cent per dolla r
of expenditures ?
Yes, heard a lo t
Yes, heard a littl e
No, haven't hear d
Don't kno w
Major City Goal - Preservation of Essential Services and Fiscal Healt h
7%
15%
•
Study Session : Citizen Satisfaction Survey Pace5
As part of the 2011-13 Financial Plan, the City Council adopted a Major City Goal with th e
objective of sustaining the City's short and long-term fiscal health . There are a number of item s
identified in the workscope to achieve this goal . One of the key items directs staff to work wit h
the Council and the community to renew Measure Y. Specifically, the work program directs staff
to determine the appropriate timing for the ballot measure to reauthorize the half-cent sales tax .
The work program also directs staff to identify community priorities and develop educationa l
materials .
At this time, staff is seeking direction from the City Council to carefully evaluate placin g
reauthorization of Measure Y on the November 2012 general election ballot . If Measure Y is t o
be reauthorized, it must be placed on the ballot before it expires in 2014 . 2012 may represent a
good opportunity to propose reauthorization of Measure Y to the voters because it is a
presidential election year, where turnout is normally increased . The last day to call an electio n
for ballot measures and qualify for the general election ballot is August 10, 2012. However, it i s
generally preferable to make the decision in advance to allow as much time as possible for vote r
awareness and education efforts to occur .
Additional Survey Results
Another issue of importance that was evaluated in the survey relates to the City's Utility Use r
Tax (UUT). Jurisdictions across the state and the country are writing modern UUT ordinances t o
address current technology, and are placing them before voters for approval . These modem
ordinances are generally revenue neutral in that the rate is reduced to compensate for the fact tha t
a modernized ordinance would apply to new technologies, such as mobile data . The UUT is a n
important revenue source for the City and a future ballot measure to update the City's ordinanc e
to address litigation and technology risks is recommended .
In order to take advantage of the survey timing and to get some preliminary data for the Cit y
Council to consider, the citizen satisfaction survey asked if respondents favored reauthorizatio n
of the City's UUT . The results were mixed, with 39% supporting the tax, 39% opposing it an d
22% needing additional information. However, because the UUT was not the focus of th e
survey, a range of questions that would probe support for a UUT measure was not asked . Staff
will continue to monitor the situation with respect to litigation, and the success of efforts b y
other jurisdictions to re-authorize their UUT ordinances . Additional information will be provide d
to the City Council when it becomes available .
FISCAL IMPACT S
There are no fiscal impacts associated with receiving the Citizen Satisfaction Survey . Directio n
by the City Council to consider whether or not November 2012 is an appropriate time to plac e
reauthorization of Measure Y on the ballot is consistent with the City's existing work progra m
for a Major City Goal . No new resources are proposed to be added to this effort .
ALTERNATIV E
1 . The City Council can direct staff to follow up on any other issues or questions raised by th e
Citizen Satisfaction Survey that warrant additional analysis or review .
Study Session : Citizen Satisfaction Survey Pape6
2 . The City Council could direct staff to focus attention and efforts on Measure Y renewal i n
2014. This alternative is not recommended because the 2012 election is a presidentia l
election and voter participation is expected to be higher during this general election .
ATTACHMEN T
City of San Luis Obispo Citizen Satisfaction Survey Summar y
COUNCIL READING FIL E
Citizen Satisfaction Survey Results (2005, 2006, 2010, 2011 )
T:\Council Agenda Reports\ Administration CAR\CSSurvey\12-13-11 Survey-report docx
•
•
FAIRBANK, MASLIN, MAULLIN, METZ &ASSOCIATES
October 29-November 1, 201 1
CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO MEASURE Y RENEWA L
220-326 4
WFT N=40 0
Hello, I'm from FM3, a public opinion research company . I am definitely NOT trying to sel l
you anything or ask for a donation . We are conducting an opinion survey about issues that interest peopl e
living in San Luis Obispo, and we would like to include your opinions . May I speak to ?
YOU MUST SPEAK TO THE VOTER LISTED . VERIFY THAT THE VOTER LIVES AT THE
ADDRESS LISTED, OTHERWISE TERMINATE .
A .
Before we begin, could you please tell me if I have reached you on a cell phone? (IF YES, ASK : Are
you in a place where it is safe to talk on the cell phone?)
Yes, cell and in safe place 32 %
Yes, cell not in safe place TERMINATE
No, not on cell 68 %
(DON'T READ) DK/NA/REFUSED TERMINATE
1 .
Generally speaking, how would you rate the City of San Luis Obispo as a place to live? Would yo u
say it is an excellent place to live, a good place, just fair, or a poor place to live ?
Excellent 74 %
Good 23 %
Just fair 2%
Poor 1 %
(DON'T KNOW/NA) 0%
•
2 .
Thinking about the next five years, do you think the quality of life in the City of San Luis Obispo wil l
get better, stay the same, or get worse? (IF BETTER/WORSE,ASK : "Is that muc h
BETTER/WORSE or somewhat?"
Much better 11 %
Somewhat better 15 %
Stay the same 57 %
Somewhat worse 11%
Much worse 3 %
(DON'T KNOW/NA) 2 %
•
FAIRBANK, MASLIN, MAULLIN, METZ & ASSOCIATES
220-3264 WFT
PAGE 2
•
3 . Next, I am going to mention issues some people say might be problems for residents of the City of Sa n
Luis Obispo . After I mention each one, please tell me whether you consider it to be a very seriou s
problem, a somewhat serious problem, or not too serious a problem or not a problem at all for San Lui s
Obispo residents . (ROTATE)
NOT NOT (DON'T
VERY SMWT TOO A READ )
SERIOUS SERIOUS SERIOUS PROB OK/NA
(SPLIT SAMPLE A)
[ ]a .Crime in general 6% 13% 51% 28% 1 %
[ ]b .Inefficient storm drainage that leads t o
flooding 6% 12% 42% 35% 4 %
[]c .City streets in need of repair 18% 28% 31% 22% 2 %
[ ]d .State budget cuts that reduce th e
money available to cities for essentia l
services such as police and fir e
protection 23% 321%23% 17% 5 %
[ ]e .Alcohol-related crimes and problems 22% 38% 22% 15% 3 %
[ ]f.The availability of senior services 11% 14% 31% 27% 17 %
[ ]g .Maintaining a good quality of life i n
local neighborhoods 6% 11% 39% 43% 1 %
[ ]h .Waste and inefficiency in Cit y
government 16% 24% 33% 21 % 7%
•[ ]i .The availability of recreation programs 4% 12% 32% 46% 6 %
[]j .The time it takes for police to respon d
to service calls 2% 7% 34% 42% 15 %
(SPLIT SAMPLE B)
[ ]k.The time it takes for firefighters t o
respond to service calls 5% 6% 32% 45% 13 %
[ ]l .Access to quality health care 17% 29% 21% 31% 2%
[ ]m .Too much growth and development 14% 28% 26% 32% 0%
[ ]n .The quality of public schools 12% 15% 25% 33% 15 %
[ ]o .The availability of stable, good payin g
jobs in the local area 34% 43% 11% 8% 3 %
[ ]p .Traffic congestion 16% 29% 28% 27% 0%
[ ]q .Homelessness and transients 27% 43% 20% 9% 1 %
[ ]r .The amount of taxes and fees peopl e
have to pay for city services 15% 22% 33% 26% 3 %
[ ]s .Loss of open space 13% 20% 32% 33% 3 %
[ ]t.The availability of affordable housin g
for middle-class families 41°/u 38% 9% 6% 6%
•
•
FAIRBANK, MASLIN, MAULLIN, METZ & ASSOCIATES 220-3264 WFT PAGE 3
LET ME CHANGE THE FOCUS OF MY QUESTIONS .
4.First, have you heard about Measure Y, the City of San Luis Obispo ballot measure that voter s
approved in 2006 to raise the local city sales tax one half cent per dollar of expenditures? (IF YES ,
ASK : "Have you heard a lot about it or just a little?")
Yes, heard a lot (ASK Q .5) 26 %
Yes, heard a little (ASK Q .5) 45 %
No, haven't heard about it (SKIP TO Q .6) 27%
(DON'T READ) DK/NA (SKIP TO Q .6) 1 %
(ASK Q.5 IF YES ON Q. 4)
5.
Do you recall whether you voted on Measure Y? (IF YES, ASK : "Did you vote Yes, in
favor of the
local sales tax or No to oppose it?")
Voted Yes in favor 51 %
Voted No to oppose 15%
(DON'T READ)Voted, can't recall how/refused 14 %
Did not vote/can't recall if voted 20%
(ASK ALL RESPONDENTS )
6.Next, Measure Y, the local half cent sales tax measure, is scheduled to expire in 2014 . To
continue
this local sales tax, voters would have to approve its renewal in another election . I know that vot e
could be a year or more into the future, but if a renewal of this tax were on the ballot today, would yo u
vote Yes in favor of renewing the local half cent sales tax or No to oppose renewal? (IF YES/NO ,
ASK: "Is that definitely or just probably?")
Definitely yes (ASK Q .7) 34%
Probably yes (ASK Q .7) 25 %
Probably no (ASK Q .7) 10 %
Definitely no (ASK Q .7) 16 %
(DON'T READ)Need more info 10 %
(DON'T READ)DK/NA 5 %
FAIRBANK, MASLIN, MAULLIN, METZ & ASSOCIATES
220-3264 WFT
PAGE 4
(ASK Q . 7 IF YES/NO IN Q. 6)
7 .
In a few words of your own, what are the main reasons why you would vote (YES/NO?)
YE S
It's important/needed/benefit everyone/maintain quality of life 23 %
Revenue is needed for city operations/services 19%
Fair tax/everyone contributes 16%
Need revenue to accumulate funds/growth of the city 14%
Road repairs/infrastructure/street lights 13 %
There are things that need to be done/can't be paid for otherwise 3 %
Support the community 3 %
Generate more money for the econom y
Funding is decreasing/local counties need the funds 2 %
Need our policeman/fireman/fully staffed 2 %
Need schools open/education 2 %
Jobs 1 %
Reduction in government funds would be detrimental to the city 1 %
Capitalizes on tourist 1 %
People need to pay more taxes/especially the wealthy I %
Raise the taxes so we would have better services 1 %
Most of the local problems stem from lack of funds 1 %
Help some of the budget shortfalls 1 %
It offsets state funding/government needs more money
1 %
Want to see safety for pedestrians and bicycle riders maintained 1 %
Help fund the city's parks/recreation areas 0 %
Won't make much of a difference 0%
If there was a reasonable plan/don't just do what they want with the money 0%
Don't know 5 %
N O
Too many taxes already
33 %
Mismanagement of funds/reduce spending
On a fixed income/can't afford/more money out of our pockets 8 %
Don't need more money/city is doing pretty well/could do without it 6 %
Taxes are too high 6 %
Served its purpose/was to be temporary tax 3 %
Hurts lower income people 3 %
People are losing their jobs/unemployment 3 %
City council will give themselves pay raises like they've done in the past 2%
More revenue is not a solution to city problems 2%
All that money that went to firefighters and arbitration was unfair 2%
Economy is bad %Too many
services already 1
Don't know
•
•
FAIRBANK,MASLIN,MAULLIN, METZ &ASSOCIATES
220-3264 WFT
PAGE 5
8.Next, as you may know, residents of the City of San Luis Obispo are currently paying a Utility User s
Tax of five percent on phone, cable TV, electricity, natural gas and water bills . Decisions in the court s
may mean that voters will be asked at a future election to re-authorize City government to collect th e
Utility User Tax . If re-authorization of the Utility Users Tax were on the ballot today, do you thin k
you would vote Yes, to re-authorize this tax or No, to oppose its re-authorization? (IF YES/NO ,
ASK : "Is that definitely or just probably?")
Definitely yes 21 %
Probably yes 18 %
Probably no 18%
Defmitely no 21 %
(DON'T READ)Need more info 10%
(DON'T READ)DK/NA 12%
NOW LET ME RETURN YOUR ATTENTION TO MEASURE Y, THE LOCAL SALES TA X
(ROTATE Q9-10 WITH Q11-12 )
9.I am going to give you some statements that could be made by people who favor a ballot measure t o
renew Measure Y, the local half cent sales tax, for an additional period . After hearing each statement,
please tell me if it would make you more inclined to vote Yes in favor of renewal of the local half cent
sales tax . If you do not believe the statement, or if it has no effect on your thinking one way or th e
other, you can tell me that too . (IF MORE INCLINED, ASK : "Is that much more or jus t
somewhat?")
MUCH SMWT
MORE MORE (LESS DON'T NO (N O
INCL .INCL .INCL .)BELIEVE EFFECT OPIN .1
(ROTATE)
[]a . The State has taken 30 millio n
dollars from the City of San Lui s
Obispo over the past decade tha t
otherwise would have been spen t
on essential City services . The
City sales tax is a locall y
controlled revenue source tha t
makes up for some of this los s
and allows San Luis Obispo t o
stretch its dollars to meet basic
local needs . Renewing this loca l
tax is essential to protecting th e
vital local services we all rely on . 24% 3P% 9% 7% 25% 4 %
•
FAIRBANK, MASLIN,MAULLIN,METZ &ASSOCIATES
220-3264 WFT
PAGE 6
•
MUCH SMW T
MORE MORE (LESS DON'T NO (N O
INCL.INCL.INCL.)BELIEVE EFFECT OPIN.)
[ ]b.San Luis Obispo is makin g
signficant cuts in the City budge t
by reducing the number o f
employee positions an d
negotiating with employee union s
for employee concessions such as
salary reductions, as well a s
increased employee contribution s
for health insurance and pensions .
But even with these cutbacks, San
Luis Obispo needs to renew
Measure Y to support essentia l
police and fire protection an d
keep the City's streets, sidewalks ,
storm drains and other critica l
infrastructure safe and in goo d
repair . 23% 29% 9% 13% 22% 4 %
[ ]c.Renewing the local sales tax i s
the best way to avoid forced cut s
to police services, including
•
cutting back police officers who
patrol City streets an d
neighborhoods and reducing dru g
and alcohol enforcement tha t
helps keep drugs off the street s
and reduces alcohol-related
crimes and disturbances . 20% 25% 13% 15% 23% 4 %
[ ]d.Renewing the local sales tax wil l
provide the funds needed to fil l
dangerous potholes and keep cit y
streets from becoming more an d
more uncomfortable an d
dangerous to drive . 26% 31°A, 6% 12% 23% 2 %
[ ]e.Renewal of the local sales ta x
gives San Luis Obispo more loca l
control and keeps local tax dollar s
in San Luis Obispo to pay fo r
essential services, such as polic e
and fire protection, senio r
programs, park maintenance, an d
street repair . 32% 29% 10% 7% 20% 2%
•
• FAIRBANK,MASLIN, MAULLIN, METZ &ASSOCIATES
220-3264 WFT
PAGE 7
MUCH SMWT
MORE MORE (LESS DON'T NO (N O
INCL .INCL.INCL .)BELIEVE EFFECT OPTIC)
[ ]f.If the local sales tax is no t
renewed, the City will be force d
to cut back on keeping drun k
drivers off the streets and
preventing other alcohol-relate d
crime such as public drunkennes s
by students and violent assaults . 21°/u 21% 10% 20% 25% 4 %
[ ]g.Crime continues to be an issue i n
San Luis Obispo and calls to th e
police continue at a high volume .
Without renewal of the local sale s
tax, rather than have an adequat e
police force, we would have to cu t
back the police force even more . 18% 21% 11%) 26% 21% 4 %
[]h . Fire prevention services in San Lui s
Obispo have expanded and improve d
since voters adopted the local sale s
tax . If the local sales tax is no t
•
renewed, we will have to cut bac k
fire prevention programs no matte r
how valuable they are for loca l
businesses, apartment dwellers an d
homeowners . 20% 27% 9% 18% 20% 6%
[ ]i.Nearly sixty percent of the find s
provided by the local sales tax go
into capital improvements such as
storm drains, new streets and traffi c
signals and open space acquisistion .
But the task is not finished .
Renewing the local sales tax wil l
allow the City to continue making
necessary infrastructur e
improvements to enhance the safet y
and quality of life in San Lui s
Obispo . 31%) 30% 6% 10% 19% 4 %
[ ]j.Even in these difficult economic times ,
the local sales tax has allowed the Cit y
to avoid even deeper cuts in essentia l
services while still making progress i n
high priority areas such as street paving ,
traffic congestion relief, floo d
•
protection, public safety, senior service s
and open space preservation : 28% 31% 8% 6% 23% 4%
FAIRBANK, MASLIN, MAULLIN, METZ & ASSOCIATES
220-3264 WFT
PAGE 8
10.Now, having heard statements favoring a ballot measure to renew Measure Y, the existing half cen t
local sales tax, would you vote Yes to approve or No to oppose a ballot measure to renew Measure Y ?
(IF YES/NO, ASK : "Is that definitely or just probably?")
Definitely yes 38 %
Probably yes 22 %
Probably no 11 %
Definitely no 17%
(DON'T READ) Need more info 9 %
(DON'T READ)DK/NA 4 %
(ROTATE Q9-10 WITH Q11-12)
11.Next, I am going to give you some statements that could be made by people who oppose a ballo t
measure to renew Measure Y, the local half cent sales tax, for an additional period. After hearing eac h
statement, please tell me if it would make you more inclined to vote No to oppose renewal of the local
half cent sales tax. If you do not believe the statement, or if it has no effect on your thinking one wa y
or the other, you can tell me that too . (IF MORE INCLINED, ASK : "Is that much more or just
somewhat?")
(ROTATE)
[ ]a.City government is trying to scare
us into renewing this tax increase .
In reality, the City has enoug h
money and just needs to manage it
better and stop wasting the mone y
it already has. 14% 16% 10% 23% 32% 7%
[ ]b.Binding arbitration on polic e
salaries has lead to big increases ,
which cost taxpayers additiona l
millions each year. But now voter s
have passed Measure B which put s
a stop to binding arbitration . So
we won't need to renew this loca l
sales tax, which just lets the sam e
spending practices continue with
no real accountability . 15% 17% 11% 22% 28% 7 %
[ ]c.The local economy is strugglin g
with high unemployment and th e
state has a deep budget deficit . We
should be repealing this local tax ,
not talking about renewing it . 14% 13% 22% 29% ---- 10 %
MUCH SMWT
MORE MORE (LESS DON'T NO (NO
INCL.INCL.INCL.)BELIEVE EFFECT OPIN.)
•
• FAIRBANK,MASLIN, MAULLIN,METZ &ASSOCIATES
220-3264 WET
PAGE 9
MUCH SMWT
MORE MORE (LESS DON'T NO (N O
INCL.INCL.INCL..(BELIEVE EFFECT OPIN .1
[ ]d.The City admits that renewing th e
local sales tax will not improv e
City services . In fact, the City i s
simply saying that they wil l
continue to give us less but charg e
more for it . 13% 14% 11% 27% 27% 7 %
[ ]e.The City is just crying wolf. It says
it has already had to drasticall y
reduce essential services, such a s
road repair, park maintenance, an d
police and fire protection because o f
budget cuts, but there has been n o
noticeable change in services or our
quality of life . 11% 17% 25% 29% 9%
[ ]f.City government would not have t o
ask voters to renew the local sale s
tax if it did not overpay it s
employees and give them too man y
• benefits . Voting no on renewa l
will thaw the line and force the
City to make real cuts in spendin g
on personnel costs . 15°/u 17% 11% 23u 25 0/0 8 %
[ ]g.Even if the City says this tax
doesn't cost taxpayers very much,
taxpayers are being nickeled an d
dimed to death and just can't
afford to renew this City sales tax . 12% 16% 12% 22% 33% 5 %
[ ]h.City government hasn't used loca l
sales tax revenues in the ways i t
promised . Renewing the loca l
sales tax just lets city bureaucrat s
continue to ignore their promises . 12°/u 16% 11°/u 23% 28% ---- 11 %
[ ]i.City government says it's cuttin g
back on employee pay an d
benefits, but until we really see tha t
this is done, we should hold bac k
on renewing this tax . 16% 16% 10% 23% 29% 5 %
[jj .City government will be asking u s
to renew the Utility Users Tax and
now they want us to renew th e
local sales tax . That's too muc h
taxation . We ought to say NO t o
•
both of these taxes . 18% 15% 11% 21% 29% 5%
FAIRBANK, MASLIN, MAULLIN, METZ &ASSOCIATES
220-3264 WFT
PAGE 1 0
12 . Now, having heard statements favoring a ballot measure to renew Measure Y, the existing half cen t
local sales tax, would you vote Yes to approve or No to oppose a ballot measure to renew Measure Y ?
(IF YES/NO, ASK : "Is that definitely or just probably?")
Definitely yes 31 %
Probably yes 23 %
Probably no 14 %
Definitely no 18 %
(DON'T READ)Need more info 10%
(DON'T READ)DK/NA 5 %
13.Next, when voters approved Measure Yin 2006, it was for a term of eight years ending in
2014 .
Whether you favor or oppose renewing Measure Y, let me ask you to assume for a moment that a
majority of voters want to renew the local sales tax measure . In your opinion, should the local sale s
tax be made permanent, or should it be approved for a fixed period of time ?
Made permanent 13 %
For fixed period of time (ASK Q .14) 78%
(DON'T READ) Don't renew 1 %
(DON'T READ) Need more info 3 %
(DON'T READ) DK/NA 4 %
(IF "FIXED PERIOD OF TIME" IN Q, Q13, ASK Q . 14 ; ALL OTHERS SKIP TO Q 15 )
14.For how many years should Measure Y be renewed beyond 2014?(OPEN-END VOLUNTEERE D
RESPONSE ; (DO NOT READ . ASK FOR SPECIFIC NUMBER IF LESS THAN 15 YEARS )
One year 5 %
Two years 9 %
Three years 6 %
Four years 18 %
Five years 22%
Six years 13 %
Seven years 3 %
Eight years 11 %
Nine years 1 %
Ten years 4 %
Eleven years 0 %
Twelve years 0 %
Thirteen years 0%
Fourteen years 0%
Fifteen or more years 0%
Don't know/NA 8%
•
•
FAIRBANK, MASLIN, MAULLIN, METZ &ASSOCIATES 220-3264 WFT PAGE 1 1
(READ TO EVERYONE)
NEXT, LET ME ASK YOU A FEW QUESTIONS ABOUT SAN LUIS OBISPO CIT Y
GOVERNMENT
15.First, how would you rate the overall job being done by San Luis Obispo city government in providin g
services to City residents? Would you say the City is doing an ...?(READ RESPONSES AN D
RECORD)
Excellent 17 %
Good 54 %
Only fair, or 23 %
Poor job 4%
(DON'T READ)Don't know 2%
16.Next, let me ask you specifically, how would you rate the job being done by City officials in (REA D
ITEM)? Would you say City officials are doing an excellent, good, just fair or poor job?
(DON'T
JUST READ )
EXCELLENT GOOD FAIR POOR DK
(ROTATE )
[ ]a.Managing City funds 12%32%30%13%12%
[ ]b.Planning for the future in an era o f
reduced city revenues 12%31%28%13%16 %
[ ]c.Negotiating fair and affordable pa y
and benefits for local publi c
employees 10%29%31%16%15 %
HERE ARE MY LAST QUESTIONS AND THEY ARE FOR STATISTICAL PURPOSES ONL Y
17.Do you own or rent your home or apartment?
Own 64 %
Rent 33 %
(DON'T READ)DK/NA 3 %
18.Are there children under the age of 18 living at home with you ?
Yes 20%
No 79%
(REFUSED/NA)1 %
19.Are you a full-time student at Cuesta College or Cal Poly ?
Yes 14 %
No 85 %
(REFUSED/NA)1%
FAIRBANK, MASLIN, MAULLIN, METZ & ASSOCIATES
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20.In what year were you born?
1993-1987 (18-24) 16%
1986-1982 (25-29) 9 %
1981-1977 (30-34) 8 %
1976-1972 (35-39) 3 %
1971-1967 (40-44) 5 %
1966-1962 (45-49) 7 %
1961-1957 (50-54) 9 %
1956-1952 (55-59) 10 %
1951-1947 (60-64) 7 %
1946-1937 (65-74) 12 %
1936 or earlier (75 & over) 11 %
(REFUSED/ DK/NA) 3 %
21.With which racial or ethnic group do you identify yourself? (READ RESPONSES )
Hispanic or Latino 6%
African-American 1 %
Asian 2%
Caucasian/white 89%
Some other group 0 %
(DON'T READ)OK/Refused 2 %
22.How would you describe your political outlook? Would you say that you are very conservative,
somewhat conservative, a moderate, somewhat liberal, or very liberal ?
Very conservative 10 %
Somewhat conservative 18 %
Moderate 28 %
Somewhat liberal 29 %
Very liberal 11 %
(DON'T READ)Refused/DK/NA 4 %
23.What was the last level of school you completed ?
Grades 1-8 0%
Grades 9-11 0%
High school graduate (12) 9%
Community college, some college/
Business/Vocational school 26 %
College graduate (4) 41 %
Post-graduate work/
Professional school 23 %
(DON'T READ)Refused 1%
FAIRBANK, MASLIN, MAULLIN, METZ & ASSOCIATES
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PAGE 1 3
24 .
I don't need to know the exact amount but I'm going to read you some categories for househol d
income . Would you please stop me when I have read the category indicating the total combine d
income for all the people in your household before taxes in 2010 ?
$30,000 and under 16%
$30,001 - $50,000 15 %
$50,001 - $75,000 14%
$75,001 - $100,000 18 %
More than $100,000 19 %
(DON'T READ)DKINA 17 %
THANK AND TERMINATE
Male 49%
Female 51 %
Democrat 43 %
Republican 30%
Decline-to-state 22 %
Other party 5 %
0 Name
Address
City
Zip
Interviewe r
Gender: By observatio n
Party : From file
Page #
Voter ID #
FIPS
FAIRBANK, MASLIN, MAULLIN, METZ &ASSOCIATES
220-3264 WFT
PAGE 1 4
FLAG S
G02 48%
R03 55%
PO4 51 %
G04 68 %
S05 57 %
P06 47 %
G06 67 %
F08 65 %
J08 47 %
G08 89 %
M09 44 %
P10 53 %
G10 87%
Blank 2 %
VOTE BY MAI L
1 15 %
2 5 %
3+ 36 %
Blank 45 %
PERMANENT ABSENTE E
Yes 49 %
No 51 %
ZIP CODES
93401 58 %
93405 42%
ROTATE S
Q9, 10, 11, 12 50%
Q11, 12, 9, 10 50%
•